Nellie Doneva/Reporter-News
Sam Carroll is greeted by supporters as he arrives at a Beehive meeting room election night, Tuesday, March 3, 2010.

As election night drew to a close Tuesday, Sam Carroll wanted to sit down for a moment, tired from entertaining a room of supporters ranging from law enforcement and lawyers to college officials.

"It's a bit overwhelming," confided Carroll, who won his bid for judge of Taylor County Court-at-Law No. 2 by 8,773 votes to opponent Randy Crownover's 3,065.

But Carroll, who will move into Barbara Rollins' long-held position, said he was grateful to country residents, who he said "wanted somebody to sit on the bench who understood the rule of law" — and who possessed the experience needed for the job.

"They felt like I was the right man," said a visibly grateful Carroll, who said that he believed a 23-year military career as a retired lieutenant colonel, plus his 11-year role as assistant district attorney, helped him garner public support.

Looking to the future, Carroll said he wanted to be known for his fairness, applying both legal and life experiences to "give every person who comes in the courtroom a chance to be equal under the law."

Applause and adulation greeted Caroll's victory annoucement, and the nominee was quick to heap praise on those gathered.

"This party is not for me — this party is for all those folks whose boots were on the ground," he said.

Speaking earlier in the night, Carroll's wife, Grace, said that it became clear early on that the "pulse of the community" was with her husband's election bid.

"The momentum just started building, and we knew this was where he needed to go," she said.